Hi All, i am with you Isis, Egypt so far has been my best place that i have visited and i have seen many. I love it so much am back again this year for the Grand Tour. Love the people and the history behind Egypt an amazing civlization. I would recomend this holiday to all travels. Josie

It really does look like Egypt gets a big vote here.

I hear so much about people getting sick there because of the drinking water. What precautions did you take to avoid getting tummy bugs. I must admit, Egypt certainly does whet my appetite, I really would like to see the Pyramids, Can you actually get to go inside them? I do remember visiting the British Museum several years ago, I spent ages browsing through the Egyptian section, it was really interesting.

A question about travelling to Egypt, do you need to have any jabs to go there? I know there are still some places in the world where you still need to have your jabs up to date.

Allison, Norway and Scandinavia interests me too. I think I will be planning my 2010 holiday after this too!! My husbands ancestors are Norweigan /Irish - strange combination I know, but my husbands maternal grandparents were Norweigan and his Paternal Grandparents were Irish. Mine are all through and through British stock who became 10 pound tourists. Hence why I now live in Australia!!

Thanks for all the input, I appreciate it.

Gen

Hi Gennevive, yes Egypt is great last year my daughter and I went on the splenders of egypt with insight it was amazing we did the nile for 7 days cruise, abu simble, and of cause the amazing pyramids there is so much to see and with getting the tummy bug one needs to be carefull with the water not to drink it or wash your teeth with it. pure water is always supplied by the tour guides and on the boat,What we did is take our medications from home and also there is plenty available in egypt over the counter at the chemists. We did not get sick i just felt a little tummy problem on the last days but once i took the famous tummy tablet i felt great. Our tour guide was so nice and so where all the people. I loved it that much that i am of again in October with my girlfriend and we are going on the Grand tour of egypt this time i wanted to see Alexander.

if you really want to go do it you will not ever look back and it will be with you forever.

lots of luck and plenty of travelling

Josie

I would also recommend a trip to Egypt, like Josie I have visited many countries but I fell in love with Egypt immediately and on each visit I have found something new even though it's basically the same holiday - I have always felt safe. I have been ill to some degree on 3 out of 4 of my trips - but then I don't drink enough water (bottled only - never tap) so probably my own fault. The best remedy I was given by my guide was Antinol - it's the Egyptian equivalent of immodium and is brilliant, works immediately, so I buy supplies when I'm there and take them back next visit. For all you Egypt lovers I want to recommend a web site but as I'm not sure if I'm allowed to put the web address I urge you to type 'live pyramid cam' into your search engine and be directed to the website, you can see 'live' pictures of the pyramids from early morning through to the sound and light show. It makes not being there almost bearable!!

I too loved Egypt and finances available I'd be back there in a heartbeat but to be honest the place that pleasently surprised me the most was Jordan. Whilst I had an idea of what to expect in Egypt I had no inkling of how much there was to see and do in Jordan.

We only spent 5 days there and you could spend that at Petra alone. That place (Petra) is indescribable. They have only excavated 20% of the city but what's there is amazing. The walk through the Siq to get your first glimpse of the Treasury took my breath away. But there is so much more to Jordan. The Roman city of Jerash is in very good condition and worth a lot more time than the couple of hours we spent there. The capital Aman is clean, busy and welcomes shoppers.

There are only 6 million people in Jordan but they are very friendly and because it is not an Oil Kingdom they need and appreciate tourists. I wrote a tour tale after our trip in April this year and if anyone wants to hear more about this great country all you have to do is ask. I loved the place.

In my book, hands down, it is Italy. Any part of Italy. All of Italy. A glorious country.

But that said, the single SITE that amazed me the most was The Mesquita, in Cordoba, Spain. It is a gigantic Moorish mosque that was taken over by Queen Isabella in 1492, and the central part was rebuilt as a cathedral. Absolutely amazing. The images contrast so strikingly.

Here is an image from the internet (public domain).

--Marv

Mezquita.jpg (177 Kb, 17 downloads) Looking from cathedral into mosque

I have to agree with everyone. Petra is extraordinary, and who is not amazed by the pyramids. I would like to add Israel in particular old Jerusalem. It is an amazing place. The history of these places is so extensive I could not absorb it all. Guess I'll just have to go back.

Have only visited ten countries and lived in two but I'll put my bit in. Italy has been my favorite destination. A very close second is New Zealand (often overlooked but it has it all) followed by Canada. Of course being totally unbiased there is no better place to visit than Australia, especially Western Australia and the Northern Territory which are often overlooked by overseas visitors in favour of the more 'touristy' destinations. Expect long travel times unless flying though.

Each destination has its own unique attributes, and I have found that it takes a few visits to get even a hint of a feel for a city. The first time, especially on a tour, the cities tend to blend together after a while. The second time, you can say, "Oh, yeah, I remember this place." The third time, you are more comfortable making your way around.
Of the cities I have been to more than twice, one I would like to go to again is Berlin. A lot of capital has flowed into former Communist cities, simply because they had been neglected so long that there was a lot of opportunity for improvement. Berlin has had something new to offer each time I have been there. The last time was my first visit since the Holocaust Museum opened, but unfortunately, although I was able to walk through the monument, I was there too early in the morning to go to the museum, and did not have enough time later on to make it back. So, I had to save that visit for the next trip.

Hello Gennevive: Last year I went in the 38 days Insight European Heritage (13 Countries)and I was really looking forward to see Greece
but I was really surprised how Beautiful is
CROATIA specially Dubronick I also Love Austria specially Insbruck seing the mountain and the city right in front of the Hotel window, I also Love London I love big city where
everything is so easily accesible I spend the first 2 days in my own and I did so much I Love it. and of course I love all Of Italy my husband was from Italy and we went many times we still have friends and family there, and I can tell you I love all the cities that I visited
Verona,Ascoli Pisceno/the island of Ponza Florence/Rome/Naples/Venice/Sorreento/and the Island of Sardegna (Cagliary) where they have the most beautiful Beaches and the best Goat Pecorino cheese.
VictoriaR